Apparatus for making chain.



H. OSSWALD.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN.

APPLICATION nun MAY 12, 1008.

I 1,107,83 1 I Patented Aug.18, 1914.

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H; QSSWALD.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN.

APPLICATION IILIJD MAY 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

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' attouwn H. OSSWALD.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING GHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 18,191 l 4 BEEBTB-SHEBT 3.

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H. OSSWALD.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12 190B Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

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HERMAN OSSWALD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 LOCKE STEEL CHAIN COMPANY, OF GREAT RIVER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CHAIN.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN OSSWALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and ters Patent of the United States Nos. 580,579

and 580,564, granted April 13th, 1897.

One of the objects of my invention is to greatly simplify the apparatus for making sheet metal drive chain, to cheapen the cost of its production, to insure greater uniformity of the individual links than has heretofore been the case, and to obviate unnecessary and undesirable straining and bending of the metal of which a link is formed, incident to earlier methods and apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to so correlate the forming dies and systematize the steps in the formation of a sheet metal link that no unnecessary and harmful work will be done on the metal of the link at any one step, which at a subsequent operation must be undone, as has been incident to earlier methods and apparatus.

Another object of my invention is toprovide a set of chain link making and assembling dies which is readily adaptable for chain making purpose to any well known press having a single reciprocating slide,

thereby dispensing with special presses such as have heretofore been required.

Another object of my invention is to transform a strip of sheet metal into a chain or chain links by the operation upon it of two die members, each entirely rigid in itself, one of said die members being stationary and the other one movable.

Another object of my invention is to facilitate the feed of the stock between the forming dies.

Another object of my invention is to form up or bend up the large end or sprocket bar and the small end or pintle bar of the link in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 12, 1908. Serial No. 432,502.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

such manner as to make them more perfect and of greater uniformity of shape and strength than has heretofore been the case.

Another object of my-invention is to so correlate and arrange the forming elements of the dies, that all heavy work, and practically all work on the strip of metal is done vertically, that is, from top to bottom, above and below, and not on the sides of the forming or bending elements.

Another object of my invention is to so correlate and arrange the forming or bending elements of the dies and the scoring and severing elements, as to relieve all congestion between these elements, insure their stability of alinement, and relationship, and the ease with which they may be adjusted relatively to each other, when required.

Another object of my invention is to so shape, arrange, and correlate the elements of the dies, that all forming or bending operations on a link blank are performed with the blank against a solid bed, and particularly that the final finishing and assembling operations upon a link are done with the full power of the slide working against a solid bed Other objects of my invention will be obvious from the drawings and description of construction and operation of a machine embodying myinvention, which I have herein selected for the purpose of illustration.

Figure 1 is a frbnt view, partlyin section, of a machine embodying my improvements and adapted to make a chain or chains.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the strip feed mechanism on the machine. Fig. 3 is a front view of a portion of the strip feed mechanism, de-

tached. Fig. 4 is a front view of the forming dies, extracting mechanism and sizing mechanism. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the dies, showing them in section with a strip of metal between them; a portion of the sizing mechanism is also shown. Fig. 6 is an edge view of a strip of metal in process of formation into a chain, some formed and coupled chain links being shown. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the metal strip and chain shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the movable die and stretcher mechanism. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the stationary die. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 1010, Fig. 11, illustrating a part of the extractor mechanism. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the extracting mechanism. Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a front view of the metal strip guide, detached. Fig. 14 illustrates a link blank as formed at one of the steps in the formation of a sheet metal link blank into a drive chain link by one of the earlier processes and apparatus. Fig. 15 is a transverse section, through the portion 96, of the link illustrated in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a corresponding section through a link made on a machine embodying my invention on the line 16-16, Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a blank, in course of formation on a machine embodying my invention.

lln the draWings-1 indicates as an entirety the main frame of the machine comprising uprights 2, 3, and a bed 4 arranged between the uprights.

5 is a vertically reciprocatable slide mounted to 'move up and down in guides-6, 7, on the main frame.

8 is a main drive shaft transversely mounted in bearings at the upper end of the frame. 9 is a countershaft transversely mounted upon the main frame and extending from one side to the other thereof. At one sideof the main frame the counter shaft carries a loose pulley 10, a fast pulley 11, and a fly wheel 12. At the other side of the frame the said counter shaft has mounted loosely upon it a pinion 13 carrying one element 14' of a clutch 14, the other element 14 of which is splined to the countershaft 9. Any suitable mechanism may be em ployed for throwing the longitudinally movable element 14 of said clutch into and out of engagement with the element 14, so as to transmit power through the pinion 13. 15 is" a gear wheel rigidly secured to said main shaft andin mesh with the pinion 13.

16 is an eccentric on the main shaft 8 connected by eccentric straps 17, 17 and pitman 18 to the slide 5.

As the construction of the press in itself forms no part of my invention, any well known type of press having a reciprocatable slide and a bed or bolster beneath it may be readily adapted to operate the chain link forming and assembling mechanism to be hereinafter described, and no further description of the press shown in the drawings is deemed necessary, as this particular press has been chosen simply for illustrative purposes and not in any limiting sense. p

Any suitable mechanism may be attached to the press for feeding the stock or strip of metal from which the chain links are to be formed across the bed or bolster of the press. For the purpose of illustration 1 have, in, the drawings, shown a feed mechanism of which 19 is a bracket securedto the standard 3 of the frame and having a horizontally disposed platform 20, the inner end of which extends into a hole 3' through the standard 3. a

21, 21, are side walls extending vertically upward, one at each side of the platform 20. 22 is a horizontally reciprocatable slide suitably mounted at either side in guideways in the said side walls 21'. It rests upon a horiaontally disposed friction plate 23 having downwardly extending pins 24,24, each surrounded by a coil spring 25'bearing at its upper end against the plate 23 and at its lower end against the platform 20 so as to provide a yielding support for the slide 22 which normallly tends to press the slide against the upper walls of its guideways to insure the closin of the feed jaws, to be hereinafter descri ed, before the slide commences to move forward.

26 is a gripping piece carried by the slide 22, having an'upwardly turned jaw 26 adapted to engage the under surface of the stock or strip of metal to be fed across the bed or bolster.

27 is an oscillatable gripping dog having a jaw 27 adapted to engage the upper surface of' the strip ofmetal to be fed, at a point directly above the gripping jaw 26. This gripping jaw 27 is pivotally-mounted between upwardly extending lugs or ears 22, 22, on the slide 22, and carries an up wardly extending arm 28.

29 is a bell crank lever pivotally connected at 29 between the side walls 21 of the bracket 19.

30 is a rod pivotallyconnected at 30 to the upper end of the arm 28, and at 30 to the free end of the arm 29.of the bell crank lever 29.

31 is an adjustable stop for limiting the throw of the arm 28 in clockwise direction. This stop preferably consists of ascrew extending through a ,threaded opening in a cross bar 22, which latter extends betweenthe ears 22, 22, on. the slide 22.

. .32 is a crank disk carried by the main drive shaft 8 and having a crank pin 32 to which is pivotally connected one end of a connecting rod 33, the other end of which is suitably connected to the free end of the arnr29 of the bell crank lever 29.

34, 34, and 35, 35, are straightening rolls for the strip of metal or stock. These rolls are horizontally disposed and suitably mounted between the side walls 21, 21 on the bracket 19, A strip of metal, indicated by 36, is directed between the rolls 34, 34, and

35, 35, and between the gripping lips 26 and 27. The do 27 and arm 28 are shaped and proportione ,to have a slight rocking motion relative to the. slide 22, so that in;

of metal 36. The arm 28 then engagesthe stop 31'and the slide 22 recedes with the connecting rod 30. Upon the reversal of travel of the rod 30, it rocks forward the upper end of the arm 28 and causes the grip ing jaw 27 to engage the upper surface 0 the strip 36, thereby ippmg the said strip firmly between the aws 26 and 27 and the slide 22 and strip 36 are together fed forward.

37 is a carrier or holder for the movable die, it being suitably connected to the slide 5.

38 represents as an entirety the movable die, it being suitably seated and held in the holder 37.

39 represents a bolster or die bed for the stationary die. It is detachably secured to the bed 4 in any suitable manner.

40 represents as an entirety a stationary die suitably secured in the die bed 39.

The'dies 38 and 40, which coiiperate with each otherto form and assemble the links, are arranged in longitudinal alinement with the line of feed of the strip 36 and are properly centered relative to the said line of feed. v 41,42 are scoring knives or chisels arranged at the right hand end of the movable die 38 and adapted to impart lines of score tothe upper surface of the strip of metal, which lines are parallel in the direction of the feed of the said strip with the exception of a slight divergence at their right hand ends. This divergence from parallelism of the right hand ends of the chisels is indicated at 41, 42', and is for a purpose to be hereinafter described. 43, 44, are corresponding scoring knives or chisels carried by the stationary die'40 and arranged to impart lines of score to the under surface of the stripof metal, each of which lines is directly beneath a line of score imparted by one of the upper scoring knives.

45- is a severing and crimping element on the upper die having a convex crimping surface. It is arranged to cooperate with a cutting and bending knife 46 on the lower die, The lower die is recessed at 47 in front of the cutting knife 46 and beneath the severing. and crimping element 45. The metalof the stationary die 40 in front of the recess 47 is cut away along the'inclined line 48 to permit a section of the metal of each link blank to be bent downwardly by the severing and crimping element 45 after it has been severed at one end by the combined action of this element and knife 46.

substantial quarter circles 51', 51

52 is a forming and bending projection on the stationary d1e,'it bein adapted to enter the recess 50 on the mova le die.

52 is a shoulder on the projection 52 ada ted to fold or crimp the metal for the sma 1 end of the link against the curved end of the element 49 on the movable die.

53 is a scoring knife of the stationary die adapted to impart a transverse score to the strip of metal along the line of severance of two links which are to adjoin each other, and in conjunction with the forming corners 52, 52 is adapted to force the metal of the link to follow the quarter circles 51, 51*, on the former 51. This scoring knife 53 is in vertical alinement with the line of intersection of the said two quarter circles of the punch element 51. In advance of the said punch element 51 the movable die is recessed as indicated at 54 to allow clearance for the free upturning of the long li of the metal blank for a link, which at tiis step of its formation projects upwardly from the metal strip. At 56 the stationary die is recessed to receive a cutting or severing knife 57 on the movable die, the edge 56 being a knife edge to work in conjunction with the knife 57 to sever the metal strip. Immediately in front of the cutting knife 57 the movable I die is shaped as indicated at 58 to complete the rounding and formation of the small end bar of each link in cooperation with the recessed section 59 of the stationary die. At 60 the movable die is recessed for the purpose of engaging the longer section or lip of metal turned 11 from the central portion of each link blank and bending, curling and conforming it to the cylindrical shape desired, at the same time causing it to encircle the small end bar or pintle of the link in front of it, thereby coupling or attaching these links together. The stationary die is recessed at 61 to cotiperate with the recessed portion 60 of the movable die in the final shaping and forming of the large end bar of each link.

62 is a projection extending transversely across the recessed portion 61 of the stationary die. It serves to prevent the ends of the lips of metal forming the large end or "sprocket bar of each link from engaging with each other and to space them apart a predetermined distance.

64 is a strip gage for centering the metal strip 36 relatively to the forming dies as it is fed forward, step by step. It preferably consists of a bar of metal 64' arranged transversely on the stationary die bed 39 and suitably secured in position a little distance from the diverging ends of the scoring chisels 43, 44. In the top of this piece of metal is cut a V-shaped groove 65 with the axis of the V in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the dies. The walls of. this V-shaped groove are preferably elevated somewhat above the horizontal plane of the stationary die and the width of the groove at its middle vertically is preferably of the width of the standard size strip to'be used with the which the gage is attached. The taper of this gage allows for variation in width of the strip of metal 36, so as to insure the proper centering of the strip despite its variation in width.

Mechanism may be employed for extracting and guiding the formed chain links out of the machine, of any suitable and well known character. For illustration, I have shown a chain guide 66 comprising two bars 66, 66 rigidly secured at their inner ends to the die bed 39, and projecting into the opening 3 through the adjacent wall of the main frame of the machine. These bars are longitudinally grooved and recessed as indicated at 67 to constitute a guideway for the chain. The bars are recessed at 66 to receive a cover plate 68 which is pivotally connected at 69 between upwardly projecting cars 66 on the said guide bars.

68 is a thumb nut extending through a slot 68 in the cover plate 68 and detachably fitted into the guide bar 66*, for the purpose of holding down the cover plate 68.

70 is a sprocket wheel arranged between and projecting between the guide bars 66', 66 It is carried by a shaft 71 mounted in bearing blocks 72, each detachably secured to one of the aforesaid guide bars.

73 is a pawl carrying arm loosely mounted. on the shaft 71.

7% is a pawl pivotally connected to the arm 73.

75 is a ratchet wheel rigidly secured to the'shaft 71 and having its teeth in the plane of the pawl 74.

76 is a lug or projection carried by the slide 5. It is pivotally connected at 76 to a rod 76 the lower end of which is pivotally connected at .7 6 to the pawl arm 73.

77 is a spring having one end secured at 7 7 to the frame of the machine, and its other end bearing against the teeth of the sprocket wheel 70 to offer a frictional resistance to the rotation of the latter.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for the purpose of correcting the size and pitch of the chain links. The size and pitch correcting mechanism is indicated as a whole by the reference numeral 78. Of this mechanism, 8 is an arm-extending forward from and preferably detachably secured to the die holder 37. This arm 78 has formed preferably, integrally with it, a downwardly extending finger 78 which is pointed at its lower endas indicated at 78 the rear surface 78 ofthe said pointed finger being shorter than and at a greater inclination to the horizontal than the front surface 78 of the said finger. This finger 78 is arranged set of dies to to enter the sprocket opening in the lastlink but one of the links formed in the machine.

78 is a block or finger pivotally connected at 78 in the bifurcated end of the arm 7 8'. This block or finger extends downwardly beneath the arm 7 8, as indicated-at 78 and is adapted to enter the sprocket opening in the finger 78 78 is an adjustment screw fitted in the finger 78 and adapted to extend on the rear side of the latter and bear against the arm 78. Its purpose is to adjust the said finger toward or from the finger 78. The adjustment wheel 78 for the screw 78 has a toothed or serrated periphery 7 8 78 is a lock pawl extending through an opening in the forward project-ion 78* of the finger 78 and engaging with the periphery any point of adjustment.

78" is a spring hearing at one end against the lock pawl 78 and having its other end secured at 78"" to the finger 78 a The distance between the front wall of the downward extension 78 of the finger 78 and the rear wall of the finger 7 8 remains substantially constant when the machine is in operation. If a link is shorter in pitch than it should be, these sizing fingers bring it up to proper pitch bystretching it. In pract-ice, I have found it desirable to form and arrange the dies 38 and 40 for making of the desired and proper pitch, chain links from the thinnest sections of the strip of steel used, depending upon the stretcher or pitch correcting device 7 8 to draw the links formed from the thicker sections of the strip of metal up to gage.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood. A strip of metal 36 is directed through the feed mechanism until the gripping jaws 26', 27 of said feed mechanism can engage: with it. Power is then applied through the counter-shaft 9 to actuate the feed mechanism and slide The strip 36 is guided and centered by the gage (ll, so as to lie properly between the dies-BS and 40. The slide descends and the section of metal which is toform a link blank is first acted upon by the longitudinal scoring knives so as to score the upper and lower surfaces of the stock along the lines 80 and 81, as shown in Fig. 7. The upper die is then elevated and the feed mechanism oper- This brings the scored section in position to be operated upon by the crimping and severing elements l5, 46. The slide descends and the portion. of metal between the lines of longitudinal score is severed along the transverse line 82. The knife 46 bends upwardly, as indicated at 83, the section of the central portion or short lip of the link blank the link next preceding the link entered by' 78 about the axis of the pivot 78" and of the thumb wheel 7 S to hold the wheel at I ates to feed the stock forward one step.

which is to be employed in forming the small end bar or pintle of the link. The action of the severing knife and crimper 45 is to press downwardly and crimp the end of the longer section of the central portion or long lip of the link blank, as indicated at 84, which is to be employed in formin 'the large end or sprocket bar of the link before the severing of the sections takes place. The short lip 8370f each link blank is sufficiently raised by the knife 46 to give clearance for bending upwardly the long lip of the blank. When the slide is next elevated, the feed mechanism advances the stock another step. The slide descends and the projection 52 on the stationary die acts to bend upwardly the long narrow lip for the large end bar of the link, as indicated at 85, simultaneously breaking the metal of the link blank along the lines of scoring and freeing the said long narrow lip so that it can remain tangent to the quarter circle 51 on the forming element 51. At the same time the shoulder 52 on the projection 52 folds or crimps the shortnarrow lip for the small end bar, as indicated at 86, against the convex forming surface of the element 49 on the upper die. Andthe forming element 51' on the upper die cooperates with the projection 52 to throw the long narrow lip of the link up into the recess 50, this long narrow lip remaining always tangent to the larger quarter circle 51 on-the element 51. In cooperation with the scoring knife 53 and the crimping edge 52, the quarter circle 51' on the element 51 crimps the wide lip for the large end bar of the link, as indicated at 87. The movable die ascends and the link blank is fed forward. Now when the movable die descends, the scoring knife 53 imparts a transverse score 88 to the under surface of the strip of metal and the quarter circle 51 of the element 51 in cooperation with the scoring knife 53 "and the crimping edge 52 crimps the wide lip of the small end bar, as indicated at 89, and at the same time the narrow lip of the small end bar is thrown upward as indicated at 89'. The convex crimping surface of the element 57 cooperating with theforming edge 55', bends downwardly the wide lip of the large end bar to its proper position in a finished link, as indicated at 91, and simultaneously the narrow lip of the large end bar, remaining tangent to the quarted circle of the element 57,

I is thrown almost into a vertical position, as

indicated at 90. The slide is again elevated and the strip is fed forward another step, bringing the link blank into its final forming and assembling position. The slide descends and the element 60 commences to curl or roll the metal. of the narrow lip of f the large end bar into cylindrical shape and around the small end bar or pintle of the next preceding-link. The knife edge'of the element 57 acting in conjunction with the knife edge 56 on the stationary die, severs the link blank from the strip of metal, and the elements 61 and 62 onthe stationary die coact with the element 60 to complete the shape of the large end bar, as indicated at 92. The small end bar completingshapers 58 and 59 operate to form the small end bar into its final shape, as indicated at 93. The slide is then elevated and the extractor pulls the completed link out of the stationary die, and advances it into position in which its small end bar is properly centered relative to the forming element 60 and 61, so that the large end bar of the next link' in the series will be formed around it and these two links thus assembled. One sprocket tooth of the sprocket wheel projects through a formed link in the guide 66, so that when the slide 5 is elevated the pawl carrying arm 73 is rocked in anti-clockwise direction. The pawl 7 L engages a tooth on the ratchet wheel 75 and turns the latter together with'the' shaft 71 and the sprocket wheel 70, the rotation of thesprocket wheel being suflicient to advance a formed link one step. When the slide next descends the pitch correctin finger 78 enters the next to the last formed link, its surface 78* engages the large end bar of the last formed link and moves rearward the last formed link, positioning said link with its small end bar overlapping the end of the strip 36 and properly centered relative to the forming element 60, 61', the stretching and pitch correcting finger 78 enters the link coupled to thelink entered by the finger 78, and these two fingers co operate to correct the pitch of the links. At the next elevation of the slide the extractor operates to advance the formed link another step, and this step by step advancing of the formed links within the machine is continued, one link at a time being delivered from the machine.

It will be seen that the dies operate simultaneously to perform progressive steps in the formation from a strip of metal of a completed link, and to assemble it with the link next in front of it in the series.

In all the earlier machines for making sheetmetal drive chains, of which I am aware, the formation and assembling of the links has been accomplished only by the use of a number of relatively movable formin elements, operable from the bottom upwar on the link blank and from. the top down- 'ward on the link blank, In all of these earlier machines, special presses were needed for providin the requisite movements of the upper and lower relatively movable formin elements. In my present invention it will e understood that any well known press having a slide and bed or bolster, is readily adaptable for chain making purposes, when provided with a set of my improved dies. No lower motion through or adjacent to the stationary die is required, nor is any upper motion additional to the ordinary reciprocation of the slide, necessary. With my improved dies for making sheet metal drive chain, a continuous strip of sheet metal is transformed into a chain or chain links with the use of only two die members, 'one of which is rigid and station. ary and the other one rigid and movable. The stationary die member may be arranged upon the bed or bolster of any well known press having a reciprocable slide, while the movable die member is carried by the said slide. Again, in all earlier machines for making sheet metal drive chain links of which I am aware, the links have been formed right side up within the machine, thus necessitating the bending downward and then around and upward of the long narrow lip of metal for forming the large end bar or sprocket bar. This being the case, forming elements movable up through the stationary die and bed or bolster of the ma chine were required to curl or roll up the downward projecting lips for the end bars, or else it was required to provide means for lifting the link or link blank out of the die so that it could be fed along over the upwardly extending forming elements on the stationary die. In order to overcome this condition and to facilitate the feed of the strip of metal across the stationary die, l[ have arranged the dies in such manner as to form the chain upside down, so that comparatively smooth surfaces of the strip or roundedsurfaces of it contact with the stationary die, thereby much simplifying the feed of the strip across the die, as compared with earlier methods of which I am aware, since the upwardly projecting central portions of each link blank in course of formation, are cleared by the upper die as it ascends with the slide and before the feeding mechanism starts to feed forward the strip. Again, by thus making the chain upside down, as soon as the dies are close enough together to do any work'upon the strip, the latter lies flat upon the stationary die and in line with the feeding mechanism and centering gage.

It has been found highly desirable to maintain the link blank integral with the strip as long as possible during the steps in the formation of a complete link. With the earlier mechanisms for making sheet metal drive chain links of which I am aware, and particularly in machines of the type shown and patented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 580,57 9 to Locke and No. 580,564 to Vieillard and Osswald, two distinct forming or bending operations are performed on a link after it has been severed from the strip. Tnmy new machine for makingthese sheet metal drive chains,

but a single forming or bending operation is performed on the link after it has been severed from the strip. The last operation, in fact, has been started before the actual severing takes place, while in the said earlier patented machine .of Vieillard and Osswald, the severing of the strip takes place two steps before the completing of the link, thereby necessitating the bringing of two moving dies to work upon the link in its severed condition with consequent complicating of the machine and its operation. Further, in all earlier machines for and methods of making sheet metal drive chains of which I am aware, and particularly with chain made in a machine employing the said -Vieillard and Osswald patented invention,

the metal of which each link is formed is subject to being bent and strained, more than is required or necessary for the forming of the link, particularly at points across the link at the short up-turned portion or wide lip 95 of the sprocket bar or large end bar of the link and adjacent to the front ends of the lines of scoring for the side bars, as indicated at 96 in Fig. 14.. This bulging or straining of the metal of the links at 96 was occasioned by the action of the crimper for the up-turned lip 95 of the link, thereby giving a combined drawing and bending of the metal at this point of the link blank. In the machine illustrated in U. S. Letters Patent No. 633,371 to Skogse, this bulging or bending of the link blanks at 96 was occasioned by the combined action of the first crimper for the wide lip 95 and the scoring chisels. The metal of the links made in these earlier'patented machines was stretched or drawn at and all around the inside corners of the links or at. and adjacent to the ends of the chisels in the Skogse patented machine. This weakened the metal at the corners on the lines at the inner ends of the side bars of the links, which are naturally the weakest part of the links. This bulging or bending at 96, later has to be straightened out by the action of the last punch on the upper die, and as the blank holder of said patented constructions no longer supports the link blank at this point, the lower movable die, which completes the formation of the large end bar, works against the shearing re- I rolled to form end bars, is' left substantially flat at the ends of the lines of scoring for the side bars and there is no bulging or stretching of the metal for the endbars at bars. This is accomplished by having the scoring done a step in advance of any bending, crimping or severing operation on the link blank, and by thereafter properly supporting the metal at this point during the operation of the bending, shaping, severing and coupling elements of the die blocks upon it. The link blank lies flat upon the lower set of scoring knives when the upper set of scoring knives are forced downward upon the blank to effect the scoring. The metal in the Wide lip 95 at the hook end of the blank is not at any time in the formation of my improved link strained or bulged between the side bars out of its ultimate shape, as was the case with the old links at 96. In fact the metal at this vital point in the construction of the link, is in my improved link, only bent as required to properly shape it in its final curvilinear form, and this without any straining or bulging which would tend to weaken the link at this point, as was the case with all of the earlier links of the same class of which I am aware. The end bar forming punch 51, acting in conjunction with the forming and bending element 52, enables the latter to freely displace upwardly that portion of the blank between the side bars, which forms the long lip or end hook, Without strain or bulging of the metal at the points where it remains integral with the side bars, thus avoiding weakening at those points such as would result from incipient cracks caused by abrupt bending or straining of the metal, and also facilitating the latter bending and forming of the end hook. The longer section of metal of the central portion or long narrow lip of the link is subjected to a simple bending operation in the desired direction only, and only the amount of bending of this section is done which is actually necessary to shape it as desired. As the metal of the central portion of a link blank is being severed transversely, the free end of the longer section is simultaneously rolled or crimped for its subsequent bending,thus obviating the necessity of other die parts than the transverse severing and crimping elements 45 and 46 for effecting the essential crimping of the free end of the long section of the central portion of the link.

It will be noted that all of the heavier Work, and practically all of the work done by the dies of my improved construction upon the link blanks, is done vertically, that is, fromtop to bottom, as contradistinguished from doing the work at the side or sides of the forming or bending elements on the dies. All of my forming elements for the end bars, with the exception of the semi-circular dies and 61, have uarter circle shaping surfaces, each of whic is halved by a vertical line,.ext ending through the center of metal which is to form the the circles. In the dies of the earlier Inachines of which I am aware the quarter circle end bar forming surfaces are entirely at one side of a vertical line through the center of the circle. My improved construction obviates thediflicu'lties of breakage and disarrangement of the die elements due to crowding of these quarter circle shaping elements by the doing of work on their sides incident to the earlier constructions. This .important feature, furthermore, of doing the work vertically enables me to use a substantially flat die, instead of one with several heights or steps and thereby greatly assists in keeping the dies in proper adjustment relative to each other, with all forming parts gaged from the same straight surface.

The construction of my improved dies is such as to obviate all of the objections to the congestion of the elements incident to all of the dies of the earlier machines for making sheet metal drive chains, of which I am aware. I have provided enough space in-the dies tomake all of the forming parts of sufficient size and strength to insure great durability of the dies and freedom from the necessity of frequent adjustment, corrections and replacement, and by doing away with all relatively moving parts in the dies or forming elements themselves and having the dies absolutely rigid, have overcome all of the difficulties encountered through lost motion between the die parts, and their getting out of adjustment and alinement incident to the relative movability of parts of the upper forming elements and relative movability of parts of the lower forming elements of all earlier drive chain link forming dies of which I am aware. Owing to the spaced relationship between the operative portions of the die blocks being ample and these parts uncrowded in my improved machine, un-' evenness in the working of the press and undesirable interference between the dies and the link blanks are avoided during the progress of the blanks through the machine. The scoring knives, severing and. crimping elements 45, 45, and forming element 49 each performs its function fully and successfully and without interference from or with the other. By distributing the work of these elements in the complete step by step manner shown, more than it is capable of successfully per forming, and all the troubles incident to imnone of them is required to do properly arranging and spacing elements with somewhat like functions in earlier machines is avoided by my present invention. Furthermore my improved construction permits the scoring chisels to Work closeto the wide lip 95 of the-end hook, without the bulging or straining incident to earlier methods and tearing. of the metal at this point. Again, all of the operations performed on a link blank in my improved machine are made with the blank resting against a solid bed, which is particularly advantageous in the final forming of the links, to insure their perfect symmetry.

Each of the dies 38 and 40 is shown as being made up of a number of pieces or sections of metal. Such construction permits the relative adjustment of the various forming elements of each die, should some of them wear more than others, or the proper relationship of the forming elements be, for any reason, disarranged. It will be understood, however, that each of these dies or die blocks in normal operation, consists of a plurality of relatively immovable link forming, shaping and connecting elements, and each as an entirety may be formed from a single piece of metal, if desired, so that the die will be solid throughout,

The diverging nature of the lines of score for the side bars at their rear ends, is for the purpose of affording suflicient clearance at these points between the side bars of a formed link to facilitate the ready forming of the long narrow lip of the large end bar about the small end bar ofthe preceding link.

The strip centering gage, the scoring knives, the pitch correcting and ,sizing device, and the formed link extracting mechanism shown in the drawings and herein described are not a part of my invention, but on the contrary, in my opinion, are the invention of S. D. Locke of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and l[ consequently make no claim to these features of the machine, which have been shown and described simply for the purpose of illustrating a complete chain machine embodying my invention.

Many alterations in the construction, and many apparently widely diitering embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art of making sheet metal chain links and chain making machines, without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. My disclosures and description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What ll claim is- 1. ln a machine for making a drive chain link from a blank of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, the combination of a pair of relatively movable cooperating die blocks, each block provided with a plurality of relatively immovable link forming and shaping elements arranged to act progressively upon theblank.

2. In a machine for making andconnecting drive chain links from a strip of metal, each link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, thecombination of a pair of relatively movable cooperating die blocks,

each block provided with a plurality of relatively immovable link forming, shaping and connecting elements arranged to act progressively upon the strip. I v

3. lln a machine for making and connecting drive chain links from a strip of metal, each link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, the combination of a pair of relatively movable cooperating die blocks, each block provided with a plurality of relatively immovable link forming, shaping and connecting elements, arranged to act progressively upon the strip, the operative portions of said elements being arranged in uniform spaced relationship to each other, whereby unevenness in the work of the press and all interference between the dies and the metal strip in the progress of the strip between said die blocks are avoided.

4-,. In a machine for making and connecting drive chain links from a strip of metal, each link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, the combination of a pair of relatively movable cooperating die blocks, each block provided with a plurality of relatively immovable link forming, shaping and connecting elements arranged to act progressively upon the strip, the operative portions of said elements for forming said hook being shaped and disposed to displace upwardly the metal of said strip to form said hook.

5. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a blank of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or hook, the combination with a plurality of cooperating dies, each die consisting of link forming and shaping elements arranged to act progressively upon the blank, of scoring knives arranged adjacent to said elements to score the metal of the blank while said blank lies flat from end to end and before said blank is operated upon by any of said link forming and shaping elements, whereby the central portion of the link blank which is to be bent to form said large end bar or end hookis left flat at the ends of the lines of score and bulging and stretching of the metal at these points is avoided.

6. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a blank of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or hook, the

combination of a plurality of cooperating dies, said diesconsisting of link forming and shaping elements arranged to act pro- I gressively upon transverse severing and crimping elements to operate on said blank, and scoring knives arranged adjacent to said transverse severing and crimping elements the blank and including metal ct said blank while said metal lies flatto score theand before it reaches a position to be operated upon by said transverse severing and crimping elements, whereby the central portion of the link blank which is to be bent to form said large end bar or end hook is left flat at the ends of the lines of score and bulging and stretching of the metal at these points is avoided.

7. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a strip of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, a plurality of cooperating dies, said dies consisting of link forming and shaping elements arranged to act progressively upon said strip of metal and including severing elements for severing the link blanks from the strip after the last bending operation in the formation of each link is commenced.

8. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a strip of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook,

' a plurality of cooperating dies, said dies consisting of link forming and shaping elements arranged to act progressively upon said strip of metal and said forming and shaping elements being arranged to form said chain link upside down, whereby the metal for said end hook may be displaced upwardly and the feed of the strip of metal between said dies facilitated.

9. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a strip of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, a plurality of cooperating dies, said dies consisting of link forming and shaping elements arranged to act progressively upon said strip of metal and one of said dies carrying quarter circle end bar shaping elements, the quarter circle forming surfaces of which elements are symmetrical on both sides of a vertical line extending through the centers of said quarter circles.

10. In a machine for making a drive chain link from a strip of sheet metal, said link having side bars, a relatively small end bar and a relatively large end bar or end hook, the combination of scoring knives arranged to score a link blank to define the inner edges of the side bars of the link prior to the operation on said blank of any forming or crimping elements, combined crimping and severing elements for crimping and severing the'central portion of the link blank be tween said lines of score at a step in the formation of said blank into a link after the said scoring knives have operated upon it, and means for forming the link blank into a completed link after it leaves said combined crimping and severing elements.

11. In a, machine of the class described, the combination of means for scoring a metal blank to define the inner edges of the side bars of the link prior to the operation on said blank of any shaping elements, means for crimping the central portion of the link blank between said lines of score, and substantially simultaneously tranversely severing said central portion adjacent to said crimping, tearing the two sections thus formed of the central portion from the side bars and bending them away from each other, means for crimping the free end of the shorter central section, crimping the front end of the link blank and throwing around the free end of thelonger center section, means for crimping the rear end of the blank and throwing around the free end of the smaller center section, shaping the front end of the link blank into final form and at thesame time throwing still farther around the free end of the longer central section, and means for rolling up the free ends of both central sections into final shape.

1:2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for scoring a strip of metal to define the inner edges of the side bars of the links to be formed, means forvcrimping the central portion of the link blank between said lines of score, transversely severing said central portion adjacent to said crimping, tearing the sec tions of said central portion thus formed from the side bars and bending them away from each other, means for crimping the free end of the shorter central section, crimping the front end of the link blank and throwing around the free end of the longer center section, means for crimping the rear end of the link blank and throwing around the free end of the smaller center section, shaping the front end of the link blank into final form, and at the same time throwing still further around the free end of the said longer center section, and means for rolling up the larger center section, severing the partly formed link from the strip of metal, and shaping the ends of both of said center sections into final shape, with the larger center section about thesmall end bar of the next preceding link in the series.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for scoring a strip of metal to define the inner edges of the side bars of the links to be formed, means for crimping the central portion of the link blank between said lines of score, transversely severing said central portion adjacent to said crimping, tearing the sections of said central portions thus formed from the side bars and bending them away from each other, means for crimping the free end of the shorter central section, crimping the front end of the link blank and upwardly displacing the free end of the longer center section, means for crimping the rear end of the link blank and throwing around the free end of the smaller center section, shaping the severing the central to define the edges of the side bars of the c front end ot the link ,blankinto final of both of said center sections into final shape, with the larger center section about the small end bar of the in the series, and means for feeding forward step by step a strip of metal; a 14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for scoring a metal blank to define the inner edges of the side bars of the link while said blank lies flat from end to end and ahead of the operation upon said blank of any metal shaping or crimping elements, means for transversely portion of the link blank between said lines of score and tearing the said. sections of the central portion thus formed from the side bars, and commencing the formation of the end bars by bending said central sections away from each other, means for shaping and forming into a completed' link the link blanks after they leave said combined severing, tearing, crimping and bending means, and means for feeding a link blank forward step by step:

15. In a machine of the class the combination of means for scoring each link blank while it lies flat from end to end links priorto the operation on the said blank ot any shaping, severing or crimping element, and means for severing the center pornext preceding link 1 described,

tion of the'link'blank between said lines of score and shaping the end bars or the link, said means subjecting the metal blank to progressive bending steps only in the directions requisite to obtain the final shaping of the end bars, whereby bulging and straining of the metal at the ends of the linesof score is avoided.

16. In a machine of the class described the combination of means for scoring each blank to define theedges of the side bars :of the links while said'blank lies flat within said machine and independent of and prior, to the operation on thesaid blank of any shaping, crimping or severing element, and a pair of and 1 the other movable, and including-eleof the link cooperating dies, one stationary ments' for severing the center portion of the link blank between the lines of scoring thereon and for shaping. the metal of the center sections thus struck and 0t the'ends of the link blank to form end bars, said shaping elements of thedies subjecting the metal of the link blank to progressive bend-- ing and curling steps only in directions requisite to obtain the final shaping of the end bars, whereby bulging and straining of the metal at the ends at said lines of score is avoided. c I

In testimony whereof I afitix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses. I

y HERMAN USSVVALD.

Witnesses: y l

Wnnmar D. Poor, Louis Hanna. 

